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2021-08-03 Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Possible 'Mine Attack' Incident Unfolding In Gulf Waters As International Aircraft Dispatched UPDATE: 4 6 ships lost steering, Iran Hijacked 1?
[ZH] (update-11:22AM eastern): Statements from Iranian state sources are saying a foreign tanker has struck a mine in the Persian Gulf.

While few details are as yet known or confirmed, international maritime aerial patrols are said to be en route to observe the vessel or vessels directly, possibly including US aircraft in the region.



Final update of the day at 9:03 p.m. for the record. May the Iranians soon be slapped down for their effrontery.
(update-6:37PM eastern): The US State Department late in the day has said it is aware of reports that the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess has been hijacked by multiple heavily armed militants.

The ship is reportedly headed for Iranian waters, after multiple reports pointed the finger at an Iranian forces hijack incident in progress, though details have still remained murky and unconfirmed as the ship continues to move.

Iran has meanwhile issued a formal denial that it's forces are behind Tuesday's events off the coast of UAE, as Bloomberg reports:

Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, denied reports that Iran’s forces boarded moving ships in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman and warned against "rumors and the fake news of Western and Zionist media," according to the semi-official Tasnim news.

Earlier he called the incident “utterly suspicious” and said Iran was prepared to provide assistance to any ships in distress in the area and help with efforts to investigate the event.


Late in the day there are new reports that the US Navy is sending a vessel to the vicinity as part of the continuing investigation of the fluid situation.
Posted by Frank G 2021-08-03 12:05|| || Front Page|| [11142 views ]  Top
 File under: Govt of Iran 

#1 There are now two that appear to be having 'issues'.
Posted by Mullah Richard 2021-08-03 12:52||   2021-08-03 12:52|| Front Page Top

#2 Is the Turner Joy on station?
Posted by Matt 2021-08-03 12:56||   2021-08-03 12:56|| Front Page Top

#3 Four.
Posted by Matt 2021-08-03 13:06||   2021-08-03 13:06|| Front Page Top

#4 Zero Hedge has updated several times since Frank G posted the article — good job Frank G, and Mullah Richard and Matt for being on top of this for us. ZH’s latest:

(update-12:50PM eastern): A flurry of bizarre and unconfirmed reports are coming out of the Gulf waters where one or more foreign vessels are believed seized by the Iranians, however, which Tehran is denying, calling the reports "suspicious". Britain's Sky News reports:
A group of eight or nine armed individuals are believed to have boarded the vessel, named Asphalt Princess, the security source told Sky News.

"It was an unauthorised boarding in the Gulf of Oman," the security source said. There is no British link to the tanker.

It comes as the Associated Press reported that at least four vessels sent out warnings saying they had lost control of their steering.

Posted by trailing wife 2021-08-03 14:31||   2021-08-03 14:31|| Front Page Top

#5 Set as today’s headline.
Posted by trailing wife 2021-08-03 14:35||   2021-08-03 14:35|| Front Page Top

#6 Free Republic Thread on the incident.
Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2021-08-03 14:38||   2021-08-03 14:38|| Front Page Top

#7 Those mullugh fellas are long overdue for a good B-52 slap down. Can't see the Biden crime family taking any action however
Posted by Besoeker 2021-08-03 14:40||   2021-08-03 14:40|| Front Page Top

#8 "Asphalt Princess"
What a name for a boat.
(Does it carry anything besides syphilis?)
(I know. Corner. Got it.)
Posted by ed in texas 2021-08-03 14:51||   2021-08-03 14:51|| Front Page Top

#9 Times of Israel as of 7 p.m local time, 3 p.m ET:

6 ships in Gulf of Oman lose control, days after vessel attacked by drones
Posted by trailing wife 2021-08-03 15:05||   2021-08-03 15:05|| Front Page Top

#10 Paid $3.339 / gal for mid-grade today. Let's see what it is tomorrow.
Posted by M. Murcek 2021-08-03 15:08||   2021-08-03 15:08|| Front Page Top

#11 Guess 'the butcher of tehran' is gettin busy.
Posted by Skidmark 2021-08-03 16:49||   2021-08-03 16:49|| Front Page Top

#12 Asphalt Princess sounds like the Secret Service's codename for Kamala
Posted by Retard Strength 2021-08-03 19:48||   2021-08-03 19:48|| Front Page Top

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